2021: A Year in Review

NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

About

The North Carolina Council of Churches was founded in 1935. We are a statewide ecumenical organization promoting Christian unity and working towards a more just society. Our membership is composed of 26 distinct judicatories from 18 denominations.

We have a proven record of moving ahead of the curve on the social issues of its day even when our position was not popular among the churches or the culture. While the issues we address mirror the attitude of most progressive organizations around us, we have a singular starting place. We refract everything through the lens of faith. This starting place offers a different tenor to the conversation and leads to conclusions grounded in God’s intention for the flourishing of all creation.

The Council enables denominations, congregations, and people of faith to impact our state on issues such as economic justice and development, human well-being, equality, compassion and peace, following the example and mission of Jesus Christ.

While the Council is itself overtly Christian, many of the committees and task groups are interfaith, including members from non-Christian faith communities. Several committees also include members of Christian denominations which are not part of the Council of Churches. Through this work, we live our motto: Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice.

Our members include 26 judicatories of 18 denominations and eight individual congregations. Across the state, our members have over 6,200 congregations with about 1.5 million congregants.

The North Carolina Council of Churches is not the local chapter of either the National or World Council of Churches. While we share the two goals of ecumenism and justice and our memberships are drawn from many of the same religious traditions, there are no structural connections between us. The North Carolina Council of Churches is actually thirteen years older than the World Council of Churches and fifteen years older than the National Council.

Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director
jennifer@ncchurches.org
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Jennifer is a native of South Carolina and an ordained minister in The United Methodist Church. She loves South Carolina, but has managed to spend all but ten years of her adult life in North Carolina. Those ten years were spent pastoring United Methodist churches across the Upstate. She attended Duke University several times and in the process earned a BA, double majoring in English and Religion, a Master of Divinity, a PhD in religion, and a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies. Prior to coming to the Council, she spent 16 years as the United Methodist Chaplain at Duke University, where she also taught undergraduate and divinity school classes, served on committees and task forces, and attended lots of basketball games. She writes frequently for various publications when time permits and preaches regularly in congregations across North Carolina.

Sean Allen, Director of Finance and Administration
sean@ncchurches.org
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Sean was raised in Austin, Texas where he attended the University of Texas. After earning a BBA with an emphasis in Accounting and Master in Professional Accounting, he attended George W. Truett Theological Seminary where he met his wife, Jamie, and they both earned a Master of Divinity. Prior to coming to the Council, Sean spent twenty years in congregational ministry, most recently as Senior Pastor of a Baptist church in Raleigh, and two years in financial administration for a number of churches in the Triangle. When he is not cheering for his Texas Longhorns, Sean enjoys community theater, playing golf, watching sports, and spending time with his wife and their three children: Avery, Hannah, and Max.

Susannah Tuttle, Director, NC Interfaith Power & Light
susannah@ncipl.org
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Susannah Tuttle joined the staff in August 2011. She received a Masters of Divinity degree from Starr King School for the Ministry at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. In 2004 Susannah was hired as UNC Chapel Hill’s first Sustainability Research Associate and went on to co-initiate Trace Collaborative, LLC a consulting firm specializing in the implementation of sustainability within the design and construction industry. Susannah currently serves on Interfaith Power & Light’s national Board of Directors, We Own It’s Board of Trustees, Duke Energy’s NC Eastern Advisory Council, and UNC School of Law’s Center for Climate, Energy, Environment, and Economics (CE3) Advisory Board.

Rachel Baker, Communications Director
rachel@ncchurches.org
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Rachel was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina. She is an Appalachian State University alumni with a passion for systemic transformation and equity for all North Carolina residents. Rachel joined the Council is 2018 as Immigration Program Coordinator and her role has since transformed to Communications Director. She enjoys contributing her knowledge and expertise to help promote positive social change through communications and graphic design. In her free time, Rachel loves spending time outside with her wife and two labs, playing rugby, and dancing.


Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness
christine@ncchurches.org
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Chris is a native Kentuckian and the daughter of missionary parents who served Eastern Kentucky for more than 40 years. She relocated to North Carolina in 1981 and has come to call NC home. Prior to coming to the Council, she spent several years in corporate America with The Diabetes Treatment Center and Honeywell International before joining a faith-based, nonprofit medical clinic serving the uninsured and under-served of Franklin County. Chris is excited to be a part of the Council's PHW program where she can utilize her background in health care and service. She and her husband, Joey, have two children, a cat, and a surprisingly friendly bearded dragon. In her free time, Chris enjoys reading, basketball, and traveling, especially to the mountains.

Brandy Murray, Program Coordinator, Partners in Health and Wholeness
brandy@ncchurches.org
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Brandy Murray is a native of Rocky Mount, NC. She received her undergraduate degree from the illustrious Winston – Salem State University in Political Science. She has a Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University School of Divinity. Her ministry research focuses on Hip Hop Theology and intergenerational worship. She brings innovative communications and social media management skills to the PHW team. During her spare time she likes to create memories with her Sorors of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, family and life long friends.


Rev. Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy
jessica@ncchurches.org
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Rev. Jessica Stokes is the Associate Director of Partners in Health and Wholeness leading our state-wide mental health advocacy efforts. Jessica earned her Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University and BS in Clinical Psychology from Averett University. She is an ordained Baptist minister and joined the Council’s staff in 2016 after directing an interfaith non-profit in Washington State. Jessica’s background includes non-profit work, hospital chaplaincy, interfaith campus ministry, and the local church. Her convictions are rooted in experiences that range from ministry in Appalachia, as a chaplain in a psychiatric hospital, to learning about systemic issues Eastern NC while living in Greenville and Wilmington, as a PHW Regional Coordinator. She seeks authentic and earnest conversation. Jessica’s work for PHW includes a focus on mental health education and advocacy, specifically tailored for faith communities. Jessica is based in Durham with her wife, Vanessa, and two pets. 

Elizabeth Brewington, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Overdose Response
elizabeth@ncchurches.org
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Elizabeth is a native North Carolinian, who spent most of her life in Greensboro before deciding to explore the Midwest for college. She graduated from the College of Wooster in Ohio, where she received a dual Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Religious Studies. After college, she returned to North Carolina and did a year of service through the Episcopal Service Corps. Elizabeth joined the Council in 2018 and loves being a part of the Partners in Health and Wholeness Program. Her work is focused on ending the overdose crisis, harm reduction, and drug policy. In her free time, she loves watching TV with friends and family and constantly annoying them with her many references.

Nicole Johnson, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Denominational Support and Special Projects
nicole@ncchurches.org
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Nicole has had the wonderful opportunity of living in different countries, having been born in Belize City, and currently calling North Carolina home. She is deeply convicted in her belief that faithful congregations can meet the environmental, social and ethical challenges of the 21st century in practical and tangible ways. Her travels and beliefs have motivated her to seek ways of merging faith, health, sustainability, justice and ethics. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to be working with congregations and individuals in creating and supporting more healthy communities. Nicole is a graduate of Salem College and of the dual degree MDiv/MA program in sustainability at Wake Forest University. Her favorite things to do include traveling, hiking, reading, growing things, trying new recipes, and spending time with family.

Krista Westervelt, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Healthy Aging
krista@ncchurches.org
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Krista is continuing on with PHW after completing her Senior Practicum internship in Peace and Conflict Studies with us in Fall 2021. She will complete her degree in Peace and Conflict Studies with a Gerontology minor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in May 2022 and is planning to seek her MDiv after graduation. Prior to joining PHW, Krista served the Chatham County Council on Aging as the organization’s Development and Communications Director. During her tenure at the Council on Aging, she was a featured panelist on "Creating, Fostering, and Maintaining Connections During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond" at the 2020 Meals on Wheels Virtual Conference and a co-facilitator on Senior Support and Care at the “Mental Health and Well-Being During the Pandemic” event hosted by NC State’s Institute for Emerging Issues. Krista is a member of The Community Church of Chapel Hill Unitarian Universalist.

Sharon Jarrells, Office Manager
sharon@ncchurches.org
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Sharon was raised in NYC in the South Bronx. She has 20 years of office management experience, mostly in the legal field. She is excited to be working for the NC Council of Churches as their Office Manager. She has lived in all over including New York, West Virginia, North Carolina and Texas. Sharon and her husband, Timothy, moved to NC in 1990 after getting married. She has two adult son's, Travaris and Bernard and a small Pomeranian. In her free time she likes to cook, entertain, and read.


David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace
david@ncchurches.org
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David LaMotte is a graduate of James Madison University, where he became passionate about mediation and alternative conflict resolution in the late eighties and the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, where he completed a master’s degree in International Relations, Peace and Conflict Resolution. David is a member of the Swannanoa Valley Friends Meeting, but also has one foot in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Collins Kilburn, Executive Director Emeritus
Collins Kilburn served as Executive Director of the Council for 20 years prior to his retirement in 2000. He was named Executive Director Emeritus by the Council’s Executive Board in December, 2005. A native of Memphis, Collins graduated from Memphis State College and received his M.Div. from Duke.  He is an ordained United Church of Christ minister, a member of Community United Church of Christ in Raleigh, and a watch care member of Olin Binkley Memorial Baptist Church in Chapel Hill. Kilburn’s career with the Council spanned a total of 30 years, 10 of that as Director of Social Ministries, which included representing the Council on legislative issues.  He wrote and performed folk songs linked to social justice issues of the time, such as “Take It All Off,” aimed at the repeal of the food tax and “Do You Have Room for a Little Boom Boom?” related to the MX missile. Since retiring, he has found more time for tennis and for leading adult education programs focused on spiritual giants of our time.  He and his wife, Martha Hamilton, share four children and seven grandchildren.

The Council takes positions on issues through policy statements which inform, guide and frame our work. Policy statements are adopted by our governing body, often upon recommendation of one or more of the Council’s program committees which are made up of representatives of our member bodies.

Officers

The Rev. Isaac Villegas, President

Mennonite Church USA
Durham, NC

The Rev. Dr. Conrad Pridgen, President-Elect

African Methodist Episcopal Church - Second Episcopal District
Whittsett, NC

The Rev. Dr. Claire Robinson, Church Women United Representative

Church Women United
Winston-Salem , NC

The Rev. Deborah Suess, Secretary

Religious Society of Friends - N.C. Fellowship of Friends
Greensboro, NC

The Rev. Claire Clyburn, Treasurer

United Methodist Church - North Carolina Conference
Raleigh, NC

The Rev. Mindy Douglas, Immediate Past President

Presbytery of New Hope (PCUSA)
Durham, NC

At-Large Members

The Rev. Ernesto Barriguete

United Methodist Church - North Carolina Conference
Greenville, NC

Pat Boswell

United Church of Christ - Southern Conference
Greensboro, NC

The Rev. Hanna Broome

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church - Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District
Fayetteville, NC

The Rev. Christy Clore

Moravian Church in America - Southern Province
Winston-Salem , NC

The Rev. Maryann Crea

At-Large (Catholic)
Durham, NC

The Rev. Richard Elliott

Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina
Wilmington, NC

The Rev. Alan Felton

United Methodist Church - North Carolina Conference

The Rev. Erika Funk

Presbytery of Charlotte (PCUSA)
Charlotte, NC

The Rev. Jill Isola

Presbytery of Western North Carolina (PCUSA)
Hickory, NC

The Rev. Allison Mahaley

At-Large (Unitarian Universalist)
Hillsborough, NC

The Rev. Erin Maxfield-Steele

Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina
Asheville, NC

The Rev. James Maynard

Reformed Churches of God in Christ International
Advance, NC

The Rev. Dr. Paul McAllister

At-Large (Missionary Baptist Church)
Charlotte, NC

The Rev. Kendal McBroom

At-Large (African Methodist Episcopal Church)
Burlington, NC

Bishop Valerie J. Melvin

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina
Wilson, NC

The Rev. Daran Mitchell

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church - Piedmont Episcopal District
Greensboro, NC

The Rev. William Pegues

Christian Methodist Episcopal - Carolina Conference
Greensboro, NC

The Rev. Dr. Christy Lohr Sapp

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - North Carolina Synod
Hickory, NC

The Rev. Lia Scholl

Wake Forest Baptist
Winston-Salem, NC

The Rev. Albert Shuler

At-Large (United Methodist Church)
Greenville, NC

The Rev. Amelia Stinson-Wesley

United Methodist Women
Pineville, NC

The Rev. Deborah Suess

Religious Society of Friends - N.C. Fellowship of Friends
Greensboro, NC

The Rev. John Taylor

Presbytery of Coastal Carolina (PCUSA)
Sanford, NC

The Rev. Sarah Woodard, Deacon

Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina
Durham, NC

General Committee Chairs

The Rev. Albert Shuler , Business & Finance Committee Chair

At-Large (United Methodist Church)
Greenville, NC

The Rev. Dr. Christy Lohr Sapp, Christian Unity Committee Chair

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - North Carolina Synod
Hickory, NC

The Rev. Isaac Villegas, Executive Committee Chair

Mennonite Church USA
Durham, NC

The Rev. Lia Scholl, Peace Committee Chair

Wake Forest Baptist
Winston-Salem, NC

The Rev. Hanna Broome , Personnel Committee Chair

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church - Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District
Fayetteville, NC

The Rev. Dr. Conrad Pridgen, Planning Committee Chair

African Methodist Episcopal Church - Second Episcopal District
Whittsett, NC

The Rev. Renee Hayes, Public Education Committee Chair

United Methodist Church - Western North Carolina Conference
Trinity, NC

The Rev. Dr. Paul McAllister, Racial Equity Committee Chair

At-Large (Missionary Baptist Church)
Charlotte, NC

The Rev. Maryann Crea, Resource & Development Committee Chair

At-Large (Catholic)
Durham, NC